Systems and methods for transporting containers with a vehicle

Abstract

Among other things, a vehicle for transporting containers is disclosed. The vehicle can include a base, a rack, and at least one container. The base can include a platform, wheels, and a motor for driving one or more of the wheels. The rack can be mounted to the platform. The rack can include at least one rail. The at least one rail can include a channel defined therein and an end coupling for linking the at least one rail with an external rail. The at least one container can be configured to connect with the at least one rail and include a connection assembly. At least a portion of the connection assembly can be moveably disposed in the channel.

We claim: 
     
       1. A vehicle for transporting containers, the vehicle comprising:
 a base comprising: 
 a platform; 
 a plurality of wheels; and 
 a motor for driving one or more of the plurality of wheels; 
 a rack mounted to the platform, the rack comprising at least one rail, the at least one rail comprising a channel defined therein and comprising an end coupling for linking the at least one rail with an external rail; 
 at least one container configured to connect with the at least one rail, the at least one container comprising a connection assembly, at least a portion of the connection assembly being moveably disposed in the channel; and 
 a processing system comprising one or more processors configured to:
 receive a request to link the at least one rail with the external rail; 
 drive the motor to align the end coupling with the external rail; and 
 based on determining that the end coupling is aligned with the external rail, drive the motor to link the end coupling with the external rail such that the at least one container is moveable, along the channel, from the at least one rail to the external rail. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising an outer bumper longitudinally projecting from the platform. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle of  claim 2  wherein said outer bumper is moveable between a first extended position and a second retracted position. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle of  claim 3  wherein the outer bumper in the first extended position extends longitudinally further from the platform than the at least one rail. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein the at least one rail comprises a pair of opposing end couplings, and wherein the one or more processors are configured to align a first of said pair of opposing end couplings with the external rail and align a second of said pair of opposing end couplings with the external rail. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle of  claim 5  wherein the one or more processors are configured to align a first of said pair of opposing end couplings with the external rail simultaneous with the alignment of a second of said pair of opposing end couplings with the external rail. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said at least the portion of the connection assembly comprises a roller bearing. 
     
     
       8. The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said end coupling is flexible. 
     
     
       9. The vehicle of  claim 1  wherein said end coupling comprises a flexible spline extending through a plurality of spaced apart plates. 
     
     
       10. The vehicle of  claim 1  further comprising an undercarriage plate, wherein said motor is disposed between said platform and said undercarriage plate. 
     
     
       11. A vehicle for transporting containers, the vehicle comprising:
 a base comprising: a plurality of wheels and a motor for driving one or more of the plurality of wheels; 
 a rack mounted to the base, the rack comprising at least one rail, the at least one rail comprising a channel defined therein and comprising an end coupling for linking the at least one rail with an external rail; 
 at least one container configured to connect with the at least one rail, the at least one container comprising a connection assembly, at least a portion of the connection assembly being moveably disposed in the channel; and 
 a lift system configured to tilt said rack relative to a vertical axis. 
 
     
     
       12. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein said lift system tilts said rack in a manner to encourage movement of containers from the rack to the external rail. 
     
     
       13. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein said lift system tilts said rack in a manner to encourage movement of containers from the external rail to said rack. 
     
     
       14. The vehicle of  claim 11  further comprising a processing system comprising one or more processors configured to position said lift system to tilt said rack in a manner to encourage movement of containers from the rack to the external rail. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a processing system comprising one or more processors configured to:
 receive a request to link the at least one rail with the external rail; 
 drive the motor to align the end coupling with the external rail; and 
 based on determining that the end coupling is aligned with the external rail, drive the motor to link the end coupling with the external rail such that the at least one container is moveable, along the channel, from the at least one rail to the external rail. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The vehicle of  claim 11  wherein said end coupling comprises a flexible spline extending through a plurality of spaced apart plates. 
     
     
       17. A method of transferring containers from a vehicle to an external rail, the method comprising:
 positioning a vehicle adjacent an external rail, the vehicle comprising a base having a plurality of motor-controlled wheels and at least one vehicle rail mounted to said base, the vehicle rail comprising a main portion and an end coupling, and having a plurality of containers slidably coupled to the at least one vehicle rail; 
 aligning the end coupling with the external rail; and 
 while the end coupling is aligned with the external rail, transferring one or more of the plurality of containers to said external rail along the main portion of the at least one vehicle rail. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  wherein said vehicle further comprises one or more processors configured to execute the steps of  claim 17 . 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17  wherein the vehicle further comprises a lift system, the method further comprising:
 positioning said lift system to tilt the at least one vehicle rail relative to a vertical axis in a manner to encourage movement of the one or more of the plurality of containers from the at least one vehicle rail to the external rail. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of positioning said lift system comprises actuating a hydraulic actuator.